Gold standard: Lassonde savors hockey career highlight

DOVER — Representing the red, white and blue is prestigious enough. David Lassonde discovered a splash of gold really enhances the experience.

The Rochester native was an assistant coach for Team USA, which recently captured the gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia.

“It was awesome,” Lassonde said. “The interesting thing about this is the more I’m removed from it the more I realize how big a deal it was. That tournament is big-time. I’ve been doing this for so long that sometimes it becomes just another hockey event. But this wasn’t just another hockey event. To do what we did was pretty special.”

Lassonde’s primary job was to work with the goalies. He also did some advance scouting on the Americans’ next opponent.

After going 2-2 in the preliminary round, the U.S. beat the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals, Canada in the semis and defending champion Sweden in the final.

They outscored the opposition in those three games, 15-2.

It was the second gold medal in four years for the U.S. in the event and third overall.

“I’d say this is probably the highlight of my hockey career, being part of a gold medal-winning team,” Lassonde said. “It was nice. It was a lot of fun. It was unbelievable hockey. Great memories. It was wonderful stuff. The kids were great and focused, and it all came together at the right time.”

Lassonde is currently in his second year as an assistant coach with the University of Denver hockey team after 17 years over two stints as an assistant at the University of New Hampshire.

He’s also coached at Wisconsin and Miami University. Lassonde has coached in five Frozen Fours and 17 NCAA tournaments.

He was asked to join the Team USA staff in early October.

“I was very honored and flattered,” Lassonde said. “I was looking forward to it. For 25 years I’ve been involved with USA Hockey at some level. Short of the Olympics, this is the next best (thing) for USA Hockey in terms of international competition.”

The Americans, who were coached by former NHL player Phil Housley, were confident going into the elimination phase despite back-to-back losses to Russia and Canada in the preliminary round.

“Any time you have a big-time goalie and a big-time defense you feel you have an opportunity to be successful,” Lasssonde said. “Going into the tournament those were our two strengths and we played really well in both areas.

“The players were accepting of their roles,” Lassonde added, “and that was really key. Our motto was ‘team first’ and every single player on the team lived up to that motto.”

Goalie John Gibson was named most valuable player. He finished with a 1.36 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage.

A second-round draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks, Gibson stopped 26 of 27 shots in the 3-1 win over Sweden in the final.

“Going into the tournament if you talked about the best goalies, John Gibson was probably one of the first names that came out of your mouth,” Lassonde said. “We knew going in we had a chance because of what he brought to the table. He made some timely saves and that prevented the opposition from gaining momentum. That’s what a goalie needs to do. It’s not so much how many saves, but when you make them.”

Lassonde said Gibson didn’t need much coaching.

“He knew his game better than I knew his game,” Lassonde said. “I just let him play. No maintenance at all. He has a great work ethic. When you go into a tournament like that it’s a short-term event so there’s no time for any kind of egos. The players were all focused and businesslike. They were there to help our country win a gold medal, and they did it.”

Providence goalie Jon Gillies was also on the team. He’s the son of former UNH goalie Bruce Gillies. The Americans allowed only nine goals in seven games. They also defeated Germany and Slovakia by an aggregate score of 17-3.

Boston College star Johnny Gaudreau led all scorers in the tournament with seven goals.

“I don’t think people understand how good the hockey is at that level,” Lassonde said. “Every team in the tournament sends their best 22-23 players that fit the age bracket. You look at the countries that participate in that tournament, and it’s a big deal to them. You combine that with how good the hockey is and how good the players are and the actual stage of the tournament, those are the three things that stand out for me.”

And, of course, the medal ceremony.

“Any time you wear your colors and hear your national anthem and see your flag raised in a building, it’s pretty special,” Lassonde said. “It’s all about pride.”